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Pillows That Support Your Back While Sleeping

Muscle strains, spinal disc problems and ligament sprains can cause lower-back pain. Special pillows and techniques can provide support for the back while you are sleeping. Your sleep position can determine the type of pillow and techniques that will help support your back.

  1. Knee Pillows

    • Traditional pillows placed under the knees help to support the back for those who sleep on their back. The pillow takes the pressure off the lower back and helps to relieve pain. Back-pain sufferers can use this technique after a back strain, but resting the muscles for too long can weaken muscles, which may slow recovery. Pillows between the knees for those who sleep on the side can even the alignment of the hips and reduce pressure on the back. Sturdy wedge-shaped pillows also can help relieve back pain.

    Head and Neck Support

    • Cervical pillows help relieve back pain by supporting the neck. This type of pillow fills the spaces between the neck and mattress to avoid straining the neck during sleep. The cervical pillow should not push the head forward in an unnatural position. This could lead to more neck and back pain. This pillow can help when sleeping on the back or the side. You may need to rotate cervical pillows when sleeping on the side to accommodate the position of the head during sleep.

    Maternity Pillows

    • Maternity pillows contour to the growing shape of a pregnant woman while she sleeps. A body pillow for pregnant women accommodates the growing abdomen, provides support for between the knees and supports the neck and head. A pregnant woman should not sleep on her back in the second half of the pregnancy. Sleeping on her back lets the uterus put increased pressure on the back, which can result in strain and pain.

      Pregnancy pillows and body pillows may help men suffering from back pain. The body pillow provides support in all areas of the body for men and women.

    Materials

    • Latex foam is one material manufacturers use to create pillows and mattresses. Pillows made of latex provide head, neck and back support by contouring to the size and shape of the body. The material is anti-allergenic, durable, low maintenance and well ventilated. Latex foam pillows provide support by distributing weight evenly.

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